Overview: TK Audio is a new brand established by Thomas "TK" Kristiansson, the man behind Vintagedesign. TK Audio was created to satisfy people with a desire for gear with a modern structure combined with genuine craftsmanship. Our first product, BC1, was launched in the fall of 2008 and was a huge success. We aim to exceed your expectations and we trust your response to be just as warm as it was for our Vintagedesign products.

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Currently available TK Audio products:

Analog audio rackmount equipment:

500 RANGE MODULES FOR API (VPR ALLIANCE) RACKS:

TK Audio offers a range of extremely useful, high quality modules for the popular API 500 format:

Our opinion: High quality analog tools, with great headroom and excellent noise performance. These well designed modules will help you get the best out of your API rack set up.

TK LIZER 500:

The TK-lizer 500 features all the power of the TK Audio’s flagship TK-lizer, including the M/S functionality that has made it such a staple in studios all over the world. The three bands have a cut/boost range of +/-8dB in 41 steps. The low and high bands can be switched between peak or shelving mode. A high pass filter with a 12dB slope is also provided, and each channel has it’s own level control with a range from infinity to +6dB. Using the built in M/S function, you can adjust the middle and side signals separately before it is decoded back to a normal L/R signal. In M/S mode you can also adjust the stereo width using the level controls.

Power requirement: +190mA / -80mA (extended over two slots)

Frequency response: 20Hz to 50kHz +/-0.2dB

THD @ +4dBu less than 0.0006%

THD+N @ +26dBu is less than 0.001%

Signal to noise ratio: 95dB

Cross talk: -89dB

Input impedance: 24kohm

Output impedance: 50ohm

Max input level: +26dBu

Max output level: +27dBu

Filter Q~0.5

BC 501:

Featuring all the power of TK’s flagship BC1-S, the new BC-501 stereo bus compressor adds even more functions taken from the BC2-ME mastering compressor, such as additional ratio settings (1.25:1, 6:1), a THD switch that adds more even harmonics to the signal, and three HPF settings from which to choose (80Hz, 150Hz, 220Hz). All controls are detented for easy, precise recall. A dedicated Wet/Dry knob allows blending between the original and compressed signals, and an external sidechain input (accessible via stereo 1/8" mini TRS jack) is also provided.

The Mono Blender is the perfect tool for parallel processing. Insert your favorite compressor into the front panel XLRs and blend it with any other audio signal being simultaneously fed through the unit with absolutely no degradation to either source. It’s also ideal for dialing in the perfect balance between sources recorded with two different microphone systems, such as electric guitar, upright bass, or acoustic piano. All inputs and outputs are electronically balanced, and the rugged blend control has 21 steps for precise adjustments.

Frequency response: 20Hz to 80kHz +/-0dB

THD+N: 0,002%

IMD, A-weighted: less than 0.0009%

Headroom +27dBu

MB1 Mini Blender:

A miniature version of the 19" Blender! Mini blender for parallel processing: Insert your favourite processor to the front XLR's and blend it with the signal that is fed through the unit.
All inputs and outputs are electronically balanced. The blend control is a high quality potentiometer with 21 steps.

THD+N: 0,002%

S/N ratio: 98dB

Headroom +27dBu

TF1 Two band filter:

A high-pass and low-pass filter with 6dB or 12dB slope. Each section has a x10 switch for a broad range.

HPF range: 30Hz-480Hz or 300Hz-4.8kHz.

LPF range: 100Hz-2.2kHz or 1kHz-22kHz.

THD+N: 0,0015% with both filters active

Headroom +27dBu

TC1 Transceiver:

A miniature version of the Transceiver. The main function is to convert balanced +4dBu signals to unbalanced and back again. The TC1 does not use any transformer so it does not add any color to your sound.

It's an insert station. Insert your balanced gear such as guitar pedals and old echo fx into your DAW or consol.

It's an active DI-box with up to 26dB of gain. Plug your favourite instrument into your collection of vintage gear via the TC1.

It's a reamp tool.

It's a Swiss Army Knife on stage. Hook up balanced gear on stage between your instrument and amp.

MONITOR switch allows the back panel XLR signal to be routed to the input, through the Send amp, for reamping.

The Transceiver is a four channel insert station. The main function is to convert +4dB balanced signals to unbalanced and back again. Each channel has a send level, the return has a gain control and a polarity switch.

The BC1-S provides smooth bus (stereo) compression associated with one of the most famous buss compressors from the mid 80's. Mixing engineers call it the magic "glue" when transparent compression strengthens mixes without compromising clarity. The BC1-S provides just that kind of compression bringing cohesion and punch; equally useful for drum buss and instrument compression. The built-in blend control makes it easy to apply parallel compression by adjusting the mix of dry and compressed signal. A mute-switch is provided for muting the dry signal making it possible to adjust the compression without changing the blend control. A switchable side-chain filter can be applied at 150Hz which makes the BC1-S less responsive to low frequency energy. The external side-chain input makes it possible to have the BC1-S pump to an external source. Smooth and transparent compression will never go out of fashion and the BC1 has already become a best-seller. The BC1-S will add the magic "glue" and make your mixes sound punchy and coherent. To make it even more easy to work with we have now changed all potentiometers for detendet (stepped) controls for easier recall.

Our opinion: based on the classic SSL VCA compressor, the BC1-S is a great bus comp that also works great on drums overheads as well as individual tracks. Much more flexible than it looks.

The BC2-ME, a perfect stereo compressor for mastering. On top of the stepped controls we also added some nice features like illuminated switches, switchable output-stage between electronically-balanced or transformer balanced class-A. The BC2-ME uses the same basic sound path as the BC1, plus extra features. The class-A mode offers a more vintage tone, like fat, punchy low-end response with more low mid character. The output section is the same as we use in the DP1. BC2-ME also has a switch that adds extra harmonics to the compressed signal. The blend control offers 23 steps from straight to compressed signal.

Our opinion: based on the classic SSL VCA compressor, the BC2 is a great peak responding bus comp that also works great on percussion tracks. This is the mastering version of the BC1 MKII.

Key Features:

All rotary controls stepped.

All push buttons illuminated. Soft light when not engaged.

THD switch, adds extra harmonics (even) to the compressed signal.

Improved VCA circuit.

Can be upgraded with separate VCA modules that holds up to eight VCA chips in parallel.

TK's new TK-lizer is a Baxandall type of EQ, high and low bands are selectable between shelving or bell, very useful for fine tuning of your low’s, mid’s and high’s. The EQ also has a built in M/S function which lets you process the mid and side signals separately. You can also affect the stereo width of your music by using the level controls in M/S mode. The three bands are based on the legendary Baxandall circuit from the 50’s.

Our opinion:Superb mastering EQ with a transparency reminiscent of the best past German Broadcast designs. The MS function has found fans in engineers mastering for Vinyl. High end performance but reasonable price as usual with TK.

Key Features:

Dual mono 3-band Baxandall style EQ.

12dB octave high pass filter (the highest HPF frequency 100Hz which is for mono-ing bass in M/S mode, this frequency can easily be change by the customer).

The DP1mk3 is a dual channel preamp based on a unique hybrid design including both vintage and modern circuits. Germanium and silicon transistors, along with integrated circuits, make the sound character expand over several decades. The midrange crunch of the germanium sound of the mid 60's, the low mid punch and thick sound associated with British class-A from the early 70's and the modern tone from the 80's and 90's; all in the same box. The input-stage is built around a high quality Swedish Lundahl transformer. The preamp section is followed by a germanium unity-gain stage for coloration. Finally the DP1mk3 has two different output stages, an electronically balanced output stage or a discrete transformer-balanced class-A stage, built around a heavy Carnhill output transformer. The vintage class-A mode produces a fat and punchy sound with mid range character and a warm top-end; the germanium mode adds even more harmonics to the sound. The IC-based output stage is less colored and perfect for clean amplification. With up to 80 dB gain the DP-1 can handle quiet sound sources like ribbon microphones. High impedance inputs are positioned on the front for easy access when connecting guitar, bass or synthesizers. It's also possible to crank up the input gain really loud and run a hot signal through the preamp to make it distort, and then use the output volume control to lower the output gain. DP1mk3 offers a unique set of flavors at a very sensible price. The new updated version is now provided with a HP filter, 80Hz/12dB.

Our opinion: with flavours going from a clean ISA to a vintage Germanium NEVE, the DP1 offers a wide range of tones, especially when overdriven. Superb tool for recording electric guitars.